June 2026
Whispers - Are You Listening?
Listen to the audio version by Dorothy
During June, especially, my thoughts often turn to meeting a special person, and this month I feel urged to share her story, which was the content of an early Innisfree newsletter. I had heard, and heeded, a whisper from my inner voice that, to this day I am grateful that I did. An association with which I was then affiliated had arranged for 95 year old Olga Kotelko to be the guest speaker. After reading her story I knew I HAD to meet her, and was privileged to have time together before and after the luncheon. It was a special connection, seeming that we had known each other all of our lives. She inspired the audience with her stories, her humour, and her discipline.
Olga began her Track and Field journey at age 77, travelling around the world and winning over 750 gold medals. With the support of Roxanne Davies and editor, Michele Carter, she had just completed her book (Olga: The O.K. Way to a Healthy, Happy Life), which was then en route by truck to Vancouver from the printer. As I travelled back home after the luncheon I was already planning to bring her to White Rock to be the guest speaker at a Sunday service.
Stunned, I received a call from Roxanne on June 24, 2014 that Olga had died that morning from a brain hemorrhage. A few days later I attended her memorial with over 300 people at St. Mary's Ukrainian Church in Vancouver. It was a fitting 'send-off' for this five foot, soft-spoken indomitable spirit! Officiating were two Bishops and six Priests. As I passed by her open casket, where she was regally attired in traditional folk heritage style, to me she had a gentle smile on her face. Afterwards at the luncheon (with a vast menu of Ukrainian food, that she herself had participated in preparing for another weekly meeting), her family gifted each of us with one of Olga's medals; mine continues as a bookmark in her book, which Roxanne had signed, "Dorothy ... Go for It". I felt Olga was sending me a message.
At that time the focus of my mentoring, along with compassionate care, was supporting people in living with a 'Forever Young at Heart' attitude, and to see how their life had purpose. Yes, growing older happens, but as Olga wrote in her book,
"I learned early on to focus less on my age and more on how I age. With a little practice and perseverance we can all take pleasure in the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of well-being."
I would go on to blend much of what I learned from meeting Olga, and from her book, into my 'Forever Young' mentoring, keeping her positive spirit alive. At the time I had a friend to whom I read bedtime stories, also in her mid-90s and also born in rural Saskatchewan; as I shared some of Olga's early stories - such as walking miles in the snow to school, as my friend did - it was as if they were brought together.
May I encourage you to listen to, and heed the whispers of your inner voice. I believe we are each a light to another - perhaps by a smile, a word, a gesture, or by our presence. Enjoy your journey, with grace, and may you also be a light to yourself. Consider reading Olga's book (which is available from Amazon).
As in past years I will be taking a sabbatical from writing Innisfree's Moments during July and August. I look forward to our coming together again in September, and wish you a special summer with safe travels wherever you go.
Until then, blessèd be to you ... Namasté!
Dorothy B.
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Rev. Dorothy Blandford, Ph.D
Apt. 202 - 1655 Martin Drive
Surrey, BC, V4A 6E1, Canada
604-535-9016
info@innisfreespirit.com